Splitter configuration for glasses

ABSTRACT

An eyewear frame assembly includes a frame having a rim for securing a lens. The frame further has a first segment and a second segment. At least one of the first segment and the second segment is movable relative to the other of the first segment and the second segment so as to allow insertion within or removal of the lens from the rim. The frame assembly also includes a projection that extends circumferentially from the first segment. The projection and the second segment are configured to be releasably secured to another, thereby securing the lens within the rim.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an eyewear frame assembly that isimpact resistant and, more particularly, to an eyewear frame assemblythat has a securable opening for easily inserting and removing a lens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eyewear frame assemblies often need to be impact resistant, such as whenworn for sporting activities. Likewise, retention of lenses within theframe assemblies under impact may be highly desirable. For example, ASTMF803 is a stringent standard governing impact resistance requirementsfor eyewear worn during sporting activities. Thermoplastic materials,for example polycarbonate, may be materials of choice for eyewear framesmeeting the ASTM F803 requirements used for non Rx-able frames known asPlano frames. For prescription eyewear, there may be a need for a way toinsert the lenses and still maintain the impact strength of thematerial. However, most existing eyewear frames do not provide theimpact resistance or the lens retention required by ASTM F803. Wearingsuch eyewear frames during a sporting activity could result in seriousinjury to wearers if the frames and/or the lenses are not able tosustain impacts. Some other materials may require an excessively thickeyewear frame to meet the impact resistance requirements, so that theresulting eyewear frames are aesthetically undesirable, bulky andawkward for wearers.

A need may exist for eyewear frames that allow for insertion of lenseswithout affecting the impact resistance of the eyewear frames and stillprovide aesthetically pleasing and efficient eyewear frames.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an eyewear frame assemblycomprises a frame having a rim for securing a lens. The rim has a firstsegment and a second segment. At least one of the first segment and thesecond segment is movable relative to the other of the first segment andthe second segment so to allow insertion within or removal of the lensfrom the rim. A projection extends circumferentially from the firstsegment. The projection and the second segment are configured to bereleasably secured to one another, wherein the lens is secured by therim when the projection is secured to the second segment.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an eyewear frame assemblycomprises a frame having a first rim for securing at least a first lensand a second rim for securing at least a second lens. The first rim hasa first segment and a second segment. At least one of the first segmentand the second segment is movable relative to the other of the firstsegment and the second segment so as to allow insertion within orremoval of the first lens from the first rim. Likewise, the second rimhas a third segment and a fourth segment. At least one of the thirdsegment and the fourth segment is movable relative to the other of thethird segment and the fourth segment so as to allow insertion within orremoval of the second lens from the second rim. A first projectionextends circumferentially from the first segment and a second projectionextends circumferentially from the third segment. The first and secondprojections are configured to be releasably secured to the secondsegment and the fourth segment, respectively. The first lens is securedby the first rim when the first projection is secured to the secondsegment and the second lens is secured by the second rim when the secondprojection is secured to the fourth segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary eyewearframe assembly according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the eyewear frame assembly of FIG. 1according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the eyewear frame assembly of FIG. 1with opened openings according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the eyewear frame assembly of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the eyewear frame assembly of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the eyewear frame assemblyalong line 6A-6A of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the eyewear assembly alongline 6A-6A of FIG. 2, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of a temple arm and portion of aframe of the eyewear frame assembly of FIG. 1 according to aspects ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frame of the eyewearframe assembly along line 8-8 of FIG. 5 according to aspects anembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the disclosedeyewear frame assembly 102 according to aspects of the disclosure. Theeyewear frame assembly 102 includes a frame 104 that has a first rim 106and a second rim 108 connected about a nose-bridge 105. The rims 106 and108 surround first and second openings 106′ and 108′, respectively,which openings may be circular, elliptical, or of any other shapedepending on the shapes of the rims. The first rim 106 may hold a firstlens 110 across the opening 106′ and the second rim 108 may hold asecond lens 112 across the opening 108′. The first lens 110 and thesecond lens 112 may be of similar shape as the first opening 106′ andthe second opening 108′, respectively. While the eyewear frame assembly102 is described as having first and second rims 106 and 108, thepresent disclosure is also applicable to an eyewear frame assemblyhaving a single rim for receiving a single lens. On the other hand,another embodiment of the disclosure may include multiple lenses, forexample, two or more lenses retained within each of the first and secondrims 106 and 108, without departing from the scope of the invention. Forinstance, in one embodiment, each of the first and second rims 106 and108 may hold a first lens and a second lens, in a parallelconfiguration, i.e., a first lens in the front and a second lens in therear relative to the first lens.

The frame 104 may include one or more structures for securing the lenses110 and 112. For example, the first rim 106 may include a first groove114 defined thereon, and the second rim 108 may include a second groove116 defined thereon. The first groove 114 and the second groove 116 mayextend circumferentially about an inside surface of the rims 106 and108, respectively. The widths of the first groove 114 and the secondgroove 116 may be such that the first lens 110 fits snugly within thefirst groove 114 and the second lens 112 fits snugly within the secondgroove 116.

The frame 104 may further include one or more retaining mechanisms forretaining the lenses 110 and 112 within the first 114 and second grooves116, respectively. In one embodiment, the first rim 106 may include oneor more rear retaining walls 114 a-114 c, and a front retaining wall 114d. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear retaining walls 114 a, 114b,, and 114 c, may be paired with one corresponding front retaining wall114 d, so as to form individual channels within the first groove 114.FIG. 1 illustrates that the bottom portion of the first rim 106 mayinclude one or more of these channels, where the first channel includesthe rear retaining walls 114 a,, 114 b, and the front retaining wall 114d,, and the second channel includes the rear retaining wall 114 c, andthe front retaining wall 114 d. FIGS. 2-3 illustrate that the topportion of the first rim 106 may include also include channels. Forexample, FIGS. 2-3 illustrate that the channels in the top portion ofthe first rim 106 may include a first channel formed from a rearretaining wall 114 g, with a corresponding front retaining wall 115 anda second channel formed from a rear retaining wall 114 h, with thecorresponding front retaining wall 115. It will further be understoodthat, in an embodiment with, for example, two lenses within a rim, twocorresponding sets of channels may be defined to secure the lensestherewithin. For instance, if two lenses are to be held in one behindthe other, two channels may be defined one behind the other along theinner surface of the first rim 106.

In another embodiment, the first rim 106 may include a continuous rearretaining wall and a continuous front retaining wall. In yet otherembodiment, one of the front retaining wall and the rear retaining wallmay be continuous while the other may be segmented.

The second rim 108 may also include one or more retaining mechanisms forsecuring and retaining the lens 112 within the second rim 108. As shownin FIGS. 2-3, the second rim 108 may include rear retaining walls orwall segments 116 b,, 116 c,, 116 g,, 116 h, and a corresponding frontretaining wall 116 d. Each of the rear retaining walls or wall segments116 b,, 116 c,, 116 g,, 116 h, for the second rim 108 may be paired witha corresponding front retaining wall 116 d, so as to form individualchannels along an inner periphery (e.g., along the second groove) of thesecond rim 108. One or more of the channels of the second rim 108 may beformed along a bottom portion of the second rim 108 and one or more ofthe channels of the second rim 108 may be formed along a top portion ofthe second rim 108 (e.g., the channels formed by front retaining wall116 d, and rear retaining walls 116 g, and 116 h). In anotherembodiment, the second rim 108 may include a continuous rear retainingwall and a continuous front retaining wall. In yet other embodiment, oneof the front retaining wall and the rear retaining wall may becontinuous while the other may be segmented.

The structure of the first and second rims 106 and 108 may be such thatthey permit insertion and firm retention of the first and second lenses110 and 112, respectively, therewithin. In particular, a first split 128may be formed in the first rim 106 and a second split 130 may be formedin the second rim 108, as seen in FIGS. 1-3. In an exemplary embodiment,the splits 128, 130 are illustrated proximal to the temporal ends of theframe 104. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the splitsmay be defined at a different location. Still further, each of the rims106, 108 may have a split defined thereon at a different locationrelative to one another. The first split 128 may allow a flexible firstsegment 132 of the first rim 106 to separate from the frame 104 and thesecond split 130 may allow a flexible first segment 134 of the secondrim 108 to separate from the frame 104. The flexible movement of theflexible first segments 132, 134 from the frame 104 allows anindividual, for example, an eye-care professional, to quickly insert orremove the first lens 110 from the first rim 106 and the second lens 112from the second rim 108, respectively, while ensuring proper retentionof the first and second lenses 110, 112 once installed within therespective rims 106, 108.

To secure the flexible first segment 132 to the frame 104, the flexiblefirst segment 132 includes a projection 140 that circumferentiallyextends from the flexible first segment. A cross-section of theexemplary projection 140 fitted into the upper portion 136 of the frame104 is shown in FIG. 6A. Another cross-section of an exemplaryprojection 140′ fitted into the upper portion 136′ of a frame 104′ isshown in FIG. 6B.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the projection 140 includes one or moreholes, such as holes 144 and 146, for receiving one or more fasteners tosecure the flexible first segment 132 to a second segment 136 of thefirst rim 106. The second segment 136 of the first rim 106 includes, atits end facing the first segment 132, a recess 148 shaped to receive theprojection 140. The recess 148 is defined by two lateral sidewalls 148a,, 148 b, and a rear wall (not shown) extending from a floor 148 c, ofthe frame 104, and is configured to accommodate the projection 140therewithin. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the recess 148opens downward when the frame 102 is worn by a user. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 6B, on the other hand, a recess 148′ opens towardthe user when the frame 102 is worn by the user. It will be understoodthat the recess may open in other ways with the projection configuredcorrespondingly, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Still further, while the illustrated embodiments illustrate a recess inthe first segment 132, in other embodiments, the first segment 132 andthe second segment 136 may be shaped complementarily to align with oneanother and be secured to one another, for example, by having aprojection on each of the first and second segments 132, 136 extendingin the direction of the other of the first and second segments 132, 136.

Referring back to FIG. 6A, as with the projection 140, the floor 148 c,of the recess 148 may also include one or more holes, for example, hole148 d, for receiving the fasteners used to secure the projection 140 tothe second segment 136 of the frame 104. In one embodiment, the holes144, 146, and 148 may be threaded internally, and the fasteners may bescrews, such as screws 150 and 152, and may be threadedly insertableinto the holes 144 and 146 and into the holes of the floor 148 c. Inother embodiments, the holes 144 and 146 may not be threaded and insteadmay be configured to receive a non-threaded fastener, for example, a pinor an insert. In yet another embodiment, while the hole 148 d, may notbe threaded internally, the fastener such a screw may create the threadson an interior surface of the hole 148 d,, when the fastener is insertedthereinto.

In yet another embodiment, the insert may be threaded to receive athreaded fastener and may take the form of a metal insert or a polymerinsert. In another embodiment, the projection 140 may include aprotrusion configured to be received by a hole in the recess. Thus, forexample, a male protrusion may designed on one of the first and secondsegments 132, 136 and may be received into a corresponding femalereceiving end, e.g., a socket, formed on the other of the first andsecond segments 132, 136.

Still further, mechanisms such as barbed pins, sliders, C-clips, camlocks, and latches may be employed to releasably secure suitablyconfigured first and second segments 132, 136 to one another. It willthus be understood that many different configurations may be employed toreleasably secure the first and second segments 132, 136 to one another,without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, a secondary receiving piece 149, forexample, in the form of a metal or a polymer plate, may be disposedbetween floor 148 c, and the projection 140. The secondary receivingpiece 149 is configured to receive the fasteners, for example, screws150 and 152. An advantage of the secondary receiving piece 149 is thatthe secondary receiving piece 149 may provide structural integrity tothe interface of second segment 136 and the projection 140.

To secure the flexible first segment 134 of the second rim 108 to asecond segment 138, the flexible first segment includes a projection 142that circumferentially extends from the flexible first segment. Theprojection 142 includes one or more holes, such as holes 154 and 156,for receiving one or more fasteners to secure the flexible first segment134 to the second portion 138 of the second rim 108. The second segment138 of the second rim 108 includes a recess 158 shaped to receive theprojection 142. The recess 158 includes two lateral sidewalls (notshown, but similar to sidewalls 148 a,, 148 b) and a rear wall (notshown) extending from a floor (not shown, but similar to the floor 148c) of an inside surface of the frame 104 is configured for accommodatingthe projection 142 into the recess 158. As with the projection 142, thefloor of the recess 158 may also include one or more holes (not shown)for receiving the fasteners used to secure the projection 142 to thesecond segment 138 of the frame 104. In one embodiment, the holes 154and 156 may be internally threaded, and the fasteners may be screws,(not shown), and may be threadedly insertable into the holes 154 and 156and into the holes (not shown) of the floor of the recess 158.

For the comfort of the wearer, the eyewear frame assembly 102 furtherincludes a nose-pad 164. FIGS. 1, 5, and 8 illustrate various views ofthe eyewear frame assembly 102 where the nose-pad 164 can be seen. In anexemplary embodiment, the nose-pad 164 may be removable from the frameassembly 102. In another embodiment, the nose-pad 164 may be secured tothe frame assembly, for example, with an adhesive or other suitablematerial. The nose-pad 164 includes first pad 166 and second pad 168extending from a bridge 165. The bridge 165 is configured to be securedto the bridge 105 of the frame 104. The nose-pad 164 further includesone or more projections, such as tabs 167 and 169, extending from thefirst and second nose-pads 166, 168, respectively. The bridge 165includes a through-recess having a generally vertical opening 165 a, anda generally lateral opening 165 b. As the eyewear frame assembly 102 isexpected to be used during physically intense activities, the nose-pad164 may be further secured to the frame 104 using a securing member 170.In an exemplary embodiment, the securing member 170 has a C-profilehaving a top wall 172, an intermediate wall 174, and a bottom wall 176.In one configuration, the intermediate wall 174 is configured to beinserted into the through-opening of the nose-pad 164 and the top wall172 and the bottom wall 176 are configured to establish a snap fit aboutbridge 105. A hole 172 a, in the top wall 172 of the securing member 170and a hole 178 in a top surface of the bridge 105 may be aligned toreceive a fastener 179 that secures the securing member 170 to the frame104. In an exemplary configuration, the holes 172 and 178 may beinternally threaded and the fastener 174 may be a screw that isthreadedly insertable into the holes 172 and 178.

Thus, the nose-pad body 164 may be secured to the frame 104 when thesecuring member 170 is coupled to the removable nose-pad 164 via thethrough-recess, the tabs 167 and 169 may be inserted into a first gapbetween the retaining walls 114 a, 114 b, and against the on the firstrim 106 and into a second gap between the retaining walls 116 a, 116 b,on the second rim 108, respectively, as also seen in FIG. 4. FIG. 4illustrates the first groove 114, the tab 167, and the first nose-pad166 in a side view. Once the tabs 167, 169 are so disposed, the firstlens 110 and the second lens 112 may be fitted into the first rim 106and the second rim 108, respectively. Thus, the nose-pad 164 is securedto the bridge 105 by the securing member 170, on one hand, and thenose-pads 166 and 168 are further secured to the frame 140, via the tabs167, 169 between the first and the second rims 106, 108 and the firstand second lenses 110, 112, respectively.

The frame assembly 102 also includes a first temple arm 184 and a secondtemple arm 186 for securing the frame assembly 102 to the wearer of theassembly 102. In one embodiment, the first temple arm 184 may bepivotally connected to the projection 180 of the second segment 136 ofthe frame 104.

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of the temple arm 186 and theprojection 182 of the frame 104 to which the temple arm 186 maypivotally connect. In one embodiment, the temple arm 186 includes aprojection 188 extending laterally therefrom, and the projection 188 mayinclude a through-hole 190 that extends therethrough. The through-hole190 may receive a securing member 192, such as a vertically disposedcrossbar, on which the temple arm 186 rotationally pivots. Theprojection 182 of the frame 104 includes an upper receiving surface 194and a lower receiving surface 196 configured to receive the securingmember 192 of the temple arm 186. In particular, the upper receivingsurface 194 includes a curved wall 198, where the curved wall 198 formsan recess hole 202 in which the securing member 192 may be inserted.Similarly, the lower receiving surface 196 includes a curved wall 200,where the curved wall 200 forms a lower recess 204 into which thesecuring member 192 may also be inserted.

The second temple arm 184 may be pivotally rotatable on the portion 180similar to the first temple arm 186. In that regard, the second templearm 184 may also include a projection (not shown, but similar toprojection 188) with a through-hole (not shown, but similar tothrough-hole 190) that extends through the projection. A securing member(not shown) may be insertable into the hole (not shown) such that thesecond temple arm 184 is then secured to, and pivotally rotatable on,the portion 180 of the frame 104.

The frame 104 and temple arms 184-186 may be made of plastic. Forexample, the frame 104 and temple arms 184-186 may be made of a suitablematerial such a synthetic polymer and a polyamide or other similarstrength material. In an exemplary embodiment, the material may benylon.

An advantage of the frames described herein is that the frames provideincreased impact resistance, for example, against a projectile such as asport ball. Still further, the described frames provide a simplified wayfor inserting lenses as well as a desired impact resistance, withoutbeing overly bulky.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An eyewear frame assembly, comprising: aframe having a rim for securing a lens, said rim having a first segmentthat is flexible and a second segment, the first segment and secondsegment being integral portions of the rim, wherein at least one of saidfirst segment and second segment is movable relative to the other of thefirst segment and the second segment so as to allow insertion within orremoval of said lens from said rim; a projection extending toward atemporal end of the rim circumferentially from, and integral with, saidfirst segment, the projection having an outer rim surface continuingfrom an outer rim surface of the first segment when secured, the outerrim surface of the projection comprising a plurality of holes; whereinsaid projection and said second segment are configured to be releasablysecured to one another, wherein said lens is secured by said rim whensaid projection is secured within said second segment near a temporalend of the frame, a nose-pad body configured to be attached to saidframe, wherein the nose-pad body has a recess in a bridge portion of thenose-pad body, a nose-pad securing member including a top wall, anintermediate wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the nose-pad body issecured to the frame at a top surface of a bridge of the frame withattachment of the nose-pad securing member through the recess, whereinthe nose-pad body comprises a nose-pad comprising a tab, and wherein thetab is configured to be secured between the rim and the lens.
 2. Theframe assembly of claim 1, wherein said projection has at least onethreaded passageway for receiving a fastener, and wherein said secondsegment has a downward recess defined therewithin for receiving saidprojection.
 3. The frame assembly of claim 2, further comprising afastener threadedly insertable into said threaded passageway, whereinsaid lens is secured by said rim when said fastener is threadedlyinserted into said projection.
 4. The frame assembly of claim 3, furthercomprising a secondary receiving element disposed between saidprojection and said second segment for receiving the threaded fastener.5. The frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein said projectionextends along an outer surface of the first segment.
 6. The frameassembly of claim 1, wherein said first segment includes a groove alongan inner surface into which groove said lens is insertable.
 7. The frameassembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame is made of a plastic.8. The frame assembly according to claim 7, wherein said plastic isnylon.
 9. An eyewear frame assembly, comprising: a frame having: a firstrim for securing at least one first lens, said first rim having a firstsegment that is flexible and a second segment, wherein at least one ofsaid first segment and the second segment is movable relative to theother of the first segment and the second segment so as to allowinsertion within or removal of said first lens from said first rim;wherein the first segment and second segment are integral portions ofthe first rim; a second rim for securing at least one second lens, saidsecond rim having a third segment that is flexible and a fourth segment,wherein at least one of said third segment and the fourth segment ismovable relative to the other of the third and the fourth segment so asto allow insertion within or removal of said second lens from saidsecond rim; wherein the third segment and forth segment are integralportions of the second rim; a first projection integral with said firstsegment, the first projection extending circumferentially from saidfirst segment and extending toward a first temporal end of the rim, thefirst projection having an outer rim surface continuing from an outerrim surface of the first segment when secured, the outer rim surface ofthe first projection comprising a plurality of holes; a secondprojection integral with said third segment and, the second projectionextending circumferentially from said third segment and extending towarda second temporal end of the rim, the second projection having an outerrim surface continuing from an outer rim surface of the third segmentwhen secured, the outer rim surface of the second projection comprisinga plurality of holes; a nose-pad body configured to be attached to saidframe, wherein the nose-pad body has a recess in a bridge portion of thenose-pad body, the nose-pad body comprising first and second pads, anose-pad securing member, the nose pad securing member including a topwall, an intermediate wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the nose pad issecured to the frame at a top surface of a bridge of the frame withattachment of the nose-pad securing member through the recess; andwherein said first projection and said second segment are configured tobe releasably secured to one another at a temporal end of the first rimand when secured said first projection is within said second segment,thereby securing the at least one first lens within the first rim, andwherein said second projection and said fourth segment are configured tobe releasably secured to one another at a temple end of the second rimand when secured said first projection is within said second segment,thereby securing the at least one second lens within the second rim. 10.The frame assembly of claim 9, wherein said first segment includes afirst groove along an inner surface into which groove said first lens isinsertable and said second segment includes a groove in which said firstprojection is secured.
 11. The frame assembly of claim 10, wherein thefirst segment includes a second groove generally parallel to the firstgroove along the inner surface into which second groove, a third lens isinsertable.
 12. The frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein saidfirst projection extends along an outer surface of the first segment.13. The frame assembly of claim 9, wherein said frame further comprisesa receiving surface for receiving a temple arm securable to said frame,and wherein the first segment and second segment releasably secure at asplit on the first rim beneath the receiving surface.
 14. The frameassembly according to claim 9, wherein said frame is made of a materialselected from a group consisting of synthetic polymers and polyamides.15. The frame assembly according to claim 9, wherein the securing membercomprises a C-profile.